Wireless devices now outnumber U.S. population?

“Machine to machine is emerging as a useful tool in promoting environmental sustainability across segments like connected transportation, smart grids and utilities,” said Dan Hesse, chief executive of Sprint Nextel. “Smart grid technology can effectively save $20 billion by 2030 by reducing consumer and business electricity use by 4 percent. Smart Grid is not just a concept. It’s here today.”

A potential roadblock to the promise of a machine-to-machine technology is a shortage of wireless spectrum – the airwaves, on which cellular signals are transmitted, said Walls, the CTIA vice president.

“Our country is not well prepared right now to meet the tsunami of demand coming for wireless broadband services,” he said. “If you don’t have the air, you’re not going to be able to provide these services.”